The Downtown Development Commission has retained the services of McW Partners, a successor company to McClarran And Williams, Inc. to head up the planning of events for the downtown Cumberland area. Becky McClarran will be in charge of promotions for retailers including long-standing events like the Christmas Tree Lighting, New Year’s Ball Drop and Small Business Saturday. McClarran has also done work with the Downtown Cumberland Business Association. The DDC put out a bid request for services after Melinda Kelleher stepped down to take the position of Main Street Manager with the City of Cumberland.

More than 70,000 Marylanders are student-parents, raising children while attending college full or part time. Proposed cuts in this year’s federal budget could make it more difficult for those parents to earn degrees. The House version of the bill would require 15 credit hours instead of 12 to receive a full Pell Grant. Ewa Obatuase with New America says class hours aren’t the only change for student-parents…     “They have to juggle work. They have to juggle school and parenting. And this reconciliation bill will strip the critical support they need to succeed in college. It reduces funding for…

The 16th annual South Branch Valley Bluegrass Festival is going on this Saturday at Wapocoma Campground, five miles west of Romney along the Potomac River. The event features food, craft vendors, raffles and a fireworks display beginning at 10pm Saturday night. Eight bluegrass bands including Authentic Unlimited, the Grascals, and Time Travelers will be on hand for entertainment throughout the day.

Allegany County is receiving $16,500 in grant money through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Greenspace Equity Program. The program benefits local governments working to enhance underserved communities. The Board of Public Works approved the funding, which will be used to restore the Barton Trail, including resurfacing, repairing walking bridges, clearing overgrowth and adding new site amenities.

 Allegany County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the 13000 block of Upper Georges Creek Road for the initial report of a disturbance. Deputies learned from a witness that a female was taken captive by her ex-boyfriend and fled the area. While Deputies were investigating the initial incident, a Trooper from the Maryland State Police Cumberland Barrack was patrolling Allegany County when they noticed a vehicle was traveling at speeds greater than reasonable and in a reckless manner. The Trooper conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and subsequently arrested the kidnapping suspect after a brief foot chase for DUI-related charges….

On Tuesday, June 24th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 300 block of Woodside Ave for the report of an assault. Before the officer's arrival on scene, they were advised that a victim had been taken to a local medical facility for multiple wounds caused by a knife. The victim advised that the male suspect was still at the home. Upon arrival at the residence, officers located the male suspect, who was observed to have blood on his clothing. The suspect, Jason Warren Allen Wormack, 38, was able to be taken into custody without incident….

On Tuesday, June 24th, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department responded to a residence in the 200 block of Seymour St for the report of an assault. Upon arrival on scene, officers contacted multiple victims and witnesses. During the investigation, it was discovered that a male subject had assaulted two subjects at the home. During the incident, it was alleged that he began to assault the subjects and then attempted to hold one of the victims underwater while in a small backyard pool. As a result, Donald Joseph Pryor, 58, of Cumberland MD, was placed under arrest. During the arrest process,…

National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory from 11 a.m. till 9 p.m. for Wednesday, June 25th. Heat index values up to 105 expected in Maryland, Central and Eastern Allegany County. In Virginia, Augusta and Rockingham Counties. In West Virginia, Eastern Grant, Eastern Mineral, Eastern Pendleton, Hampshire, Hardy, and Morgan Counties. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to…

 Allegany County Public Schools teacher has been indicted on charges stemming from alleged sexual abuse of a minor, according to Maryland court documents. Derek Lindon Shank, band director at Mountain Ridge High School, was indicted June 18 by an Allegany County grand jury on a felony charge of sexual abuse of a minor and misdemeanor charges of second-degree assault and attempted sexual abuse in the fourth degree by a person in a position of authority. The alleged crimes occurred Dec. 1, 2023, according to the court case file information. Shank, 43, is awaiting trial after being presented the charges by…